Local business professionals and community leaders get the chance to experience a day in the life of a school principal as participants in Fulton County School System’s Principal for a Day program.

Gary Denning, chief financial officer at Crossville Veterinary Hospital in Roswell, had the opportunity to play principal at Crabapple Middle School in Roswell on Nov. 22.

He said Nathan Buhl, the real Crabapple principal, gave him an overview of the school and its courses and programs. Denning met with teachers and gave a speech to students about the importance of education.

He said he participated in the program to better identify ways how the veterinary hospital can partner with the school in the future.

“We are looking forward to using this event to develop a partnership between Crossville Veterinary Hospital and Crabapple Middle School to enhance the already impressive science and math instruction, particularly with respect to giving students practical perspective on the importance of [using] their studies to succeed in many careers, such as the veterinary and financial professions,” Denning said.

Veronica Carew, executive director of the Alpharetta Police Athletic/Activities League, had the temporary title of principal at Hopewell Middle School in Milton on Tuesday. Prior to serving the role, she said she was looking forward to learning how principals work with others.

Carew said she decided to participate in the program because the Alpharetta PAL recently joined forces with the Fulton County Board of Education for the PAL for Life program, a leadership program involving local middle schools.

“I wanted to find out more about relating to how the schools work,” she said.

Scott Doll, executive director of the Ed Isakson/Alpharetta Family YMCA, said he wanted to participate to get first-hand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing local principals.

Doll will head up Webb Bridge Middle School in Alpharetta on Friday. He said the YMCA has an after-school program in 27 Fulton County elementary schools.

“Even though this is going to be a middle school, I think the perspective is going to be very helpful for me as we work back and forth with our principals,” he said.

The program kicked off the week of Nov. 18 during American Education Week. The program, which is in its sixth year, is in partnership with the school system, the Georgia Independent School Association and local chambers of commerce.

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